Historic Purrumbete homestead sold

HISTORIC Purrumbete Homestead near Camperdown has been sold in a multi-million-dollar deal.

HISTORIC Purrumbete Homestead near Camperdown has been sold in a multi-million-dollar deal.

Selling agent Andrew Rice confirmed yesterday the 170-hectare property was sold to a Geelong district family who did not want to be identified. He said the middle-aged couple, who had a young son, would use the sprawling Purrumbete as a private family home.

“They will probably set up in the district,” Mr Rice said. “They have interests around the Geelong area.”

The Charles Stewart Real Estate agent said vendors Max and Ann Magilton were very excited that their property, which they had run as a boutique bed and breakfast, had sold.

They purchased Purrumbete after selling their Timboon dairy farm 12 years ago but are now ready to retire and spend more time travelling and with family. The property was publicly advertised for $5.5 million, but Mr Rice said he was not in a position to disclose the final sale figure.

“All parties to the transaction were delighted with the outcome,” he said.

Settled by the pioneering Manifold brothers in 1842, the property features a massive 130-square bluestone homestead on the northern shore of Lake Purrumbete.

It is noted for its great hall which features an intricate art nouveau interior including a carved wooden screen by Robert Prenzel and six Walter Withers murals depicting the district’s settlement.

The property also includes two renovated cottages, a bluestone shearer’s quarters, coach house, blacksmith shop and stables.

Previous owners have included the flamboyant Sydney stockbroker Rene Rivkin and Melbourne theatre entrepreneur David Marriner.